Global Scans · Design · Weekly Summary

WHAT'S NEXT?: Design thinking will increasingly play a key role in improving systems and customer experiences. Companies will re-learn their approach to innovation and embrace human-centred design principles. Designers will begin to apply knowledge of human interaction, specifically in the area of how we earn trust and respect, to AI systems.

• [New] By drastically shortening the material development process, AI-driven design could accelerate the creation of smart materials for applications ranging from holographic and VR or AR displays to adaptive optical systems and smart windows that respond to their environment. ScienceDaily
• [New] Across disciplines, several common futurists predictions 2026-2030 themes are emerging that point toward how life, work, and identity may evolve in the coming decades. Futurist Speakers: Keynote Speaker, Strategy Consultant
• [New] Canva AI is needed in a world of visual branding where the quality of design has a direct proportional level of engagement and conversions and will ensure that companies are not forced to employ costly or time-consuming designers. The AI Journal
• [New] By 2032, mesh app service architecture in North America will mature into a core layer of enterprise application platforms. Mobility Foresights
• [New] Recent proposals from Ottawa are designed to address the risks and opportunities that come with AI-driven tools. Delta Optimist
• [New] Nvidia will supply its Drive Hyperion architecture and full-stack Drive AV Level 4 software for the new Mercedes-Benz S-Class, which is designed to support robotaxi operations with end-to-end artificial intelligence and classical driving stacks running in parallel. Automotive World
• [New] By 2026, NFTs will have become more practical and widely used across industries like gaming, entertainment, real estate, and fashion. NASSCOM | The Official Community of Indian IT Industry
• [New] In 2026, organizations that integrate sustainability into network design, sourcing and logistics, will be better positioned to manage both risk and reputation. Freight News
• [New] In 2026, fashion manufacturers must pivot to on-demand digital ecosystems to survive global trade disruptions. FESPA
• [New] By the year 2026, the most established IoT frameworks will have been designed with robust security measures such as secure hardware identities, encrypted communications and anomaly detection systems. IoT Central
• [New] In 2026, energy efficiency and environmental impact will be non-negotiable elements in the design of IoT products and services. IoT Central
• [New] In 2026, AI integration increasingly will bring together workflow engineering, data engineering and governance-by-design - not merely chatbot deployment. Federal News Network
• [New] Universal design for learning spaces will be a defining facilities focus in 2026. Spaces4Learning
• [New] BorrowerCheck by Point Predictive, designed to fight sophisticated techniques including deepfakes and synthetic identities, integrates directly with Cox Automotive's Dealertrack and uses machine learning to detect synthetic IDs, score fraud risk, and verify documents in real time. Cox Automotive Inc.
• [New] Snap's upcoming Specs aim for a consumer-friendly price and lighter design in 2026, which could finally move AR out of enthusiast territory. Glass Almanac
• [New] Designing Networks for Multiple Futures The most effective supply chains in 2026 will not be built around a single forecast. Averitt
• [New] Mastercard plans to refocus its Start Path program on startups building AI-powered payment, identity, and intent-verification tools. MarketingProfs
• New mandatory frameworks in APAC, driven by waste challenges and global alignment efforts, will prompt at least five software vendors to launch new modules designed to support APAC packaging EPR regulations. Default
• Siemens announced that it will be integrating NVIDIA NIM and NVIDIA Nemotron open AI models into its electronic design automation (EDA) software offerings to advance generative and agentic workflows for semiconductor and PCB design. Siemens Digital Industries Software
• In Scotland, EPCs will be renewed every five years, there's a new certificate design and the launch of a new digital EPC platform to show how different measures could improve a home's performance in terms of energy use, fuel bills and carbon reductions. Liz Male Consulting
• Working alongside a leading UI UX design company in India will lead to the development of more intuitive interfaces, boosting user engagement and overall better health results. Neointeraction
• Virtual design and construction will trend in 2026 with AEC firms leveraging AI, digital twins in construction, and cloud collaboration software to deliver sustainable projects smarter and faster. RIB Software

Last updated: 02 February 2026